By Brenda Starkey
Chronicle staff

     TONASKET - The city council met with engineer Mark Varela Dec. 8 to work out details for a sewer and water system proposed for the Mill Drive/Bonaparte Creek area.
     Varela, Varela and Associates, showed a map outlining the proposed sewer and water district comprised of about 48 homes in the Mill Drive area south of town.
     One issue that will have to be worked out is easements to extend service to three blocks of land-locked lots in the area, Varela said.
     The city will have to coordinate efforts with Okanogan County, since the area is not within the city limits.
     A survey must be conducted to see if residents' income levels meet the parameters of the state Community Development Block Grant program, he said.
     City council members decided to go door to door to conduct that survey and collect information on family size and income level.
     A 100 percent response rate will be needed since the number of homes is so small, Varela said.
     A public hearing is being scheduled for Jan. 12 to let the public know the program exists and what the council has decided to do.
     Varela said he will meet with Rick Rose of the Rural Development Water and Wastewater - Rural Development loan processing program before applying for grant funding.
     The city should get letters of support together for the project, and the Bonaparte Creek watershed report should be included in the application package, he said.
     It is a water quality issue, Varela said.
     In other business, the council:
     - Heard from EMS District representatives on the condition of the old fire hall. The building is in need of repairs to meet the district's needs, they said.
     The district will make a list of things that need to be fixed, along with estimates of cost, and bring them back to council.
     - Heard from the finance committee that it is not ready to make recommendations for employee salaries in 2010. A meeting is set for 7 p.m. Dec. 22 to make decisions on the 2010 budget and the Bonaparte Creek sewer project.
     - Approved an ordinance adjusting the cemetery fund and criminal justice fund for the 2009 budget. The amendment does not change the total budget numbers.
     - Approved a resolution setting information systems and communications policies for city employees.
     - Opened bids for fuel for city vehicles in 2010 and 2011. The contract was awarded to Coleman Fuel.
     - Watched as Connie Maden was sworn in for another term on the council. She was returned to the position in the Nov. 3 election.